Councillors attacked the government’s austerity agenda as they approved plans for £4.9 million-worth of savings by 2020.

Public health, children’s services and adult social care will face a further spending squeeze as Enfield Council struggles looks to close an £18 million gap in its budget.

It has already made £161 million-worth of savings since 2010 due to funding cuts from central government.

The local authority has also identified extra ways of boosting income, which will raise nearly £3 million to plug the gap.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday (October 17), Councillor George Savva, Labour member for Haselbury, blasted “ministers who do not give a damn about people any more in Enfield, in London or in England”.

He said: “They only care about Brexit or looking inwards. We hear week in, week out about Brexit – nothing about the NHS, education or social services.

“We are cutting through the bone now and onto the table.”

Council leader Cllr Nesil Caliskan said: “Enfield is well served because they have a responsible administration and one that will look to minimise the impact of austerity.

“But be in no doubt, austerity has not ended.

“We know from recent analysis over the last few days we would need a £19 billion commitment from government to fill the gap that they have created.”

Cllr Caliskan said the council was in talks with the government over the Fair Funding Review, which could boost spending on local authorities such as Enfield.

She added that Labour councils across London are involved in the Breaking Point campaign, which is aimed at ending austerity in local government.

Cllr Caliskan added: “Our approach has been to make sure be budget accurately and responsibly. We must not overestimate the income it is possible to generate.”

The savings earmarked for 2019-20 include £1.9 million in public health due to a contract renegotiation and the redesign of preventative services.

Adult social care will be forced to make £655,000-worth of savings, including a £100,000 cut in funding for the voluntary and community sector.

Cutting the number of sessional workers at the youth offending unit will contribute to £95,000-worth of savings in children’s services.

Councillors approved the savings and income generation plans contained in the report to the cabinet.